California legislation responds to cheerleader lawsuits

Published Jul. 1, 2015 4:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) They boost their teams from the sidelines and promote them by appearing in calendars and at fan events, but some sports cheerleaders say they are still not considered team employees and are paid what amounts to less than minimum wage.

California legislation believed to be the first of its kind in the nation is set to change that.

The bill approved by the state Senate on Monday and sent to the governor for his signature would require that cheerleaders be paid at least minimum wage and overtime and sick leave if they work for professional sports teams based in California.

A similar bill was introduced in New York State this year.

The focus on cheerleader pay comes in the wake of a spate of recent lawsuits against NFL teams alleging they did not pay cheerleaders for hours they spent practicing and making public appearances